Why Can't i see my desktop background?

Anonymous
2009-06-22T12:40:30+00:00

I got this Asus laptop, its vista and i used to be able to change the desktop background easily.

But suddenly, the next day, i switched on my laptop and realised that the background was pitch black with not wallpaper.

I am able to change the background colour but i am just unable to set a wallpaper.

When i went to control panels to change the wallpaper, i am able to select the picutures but i cant see it.

 In other words, I cant see the pictures available for us to choose for our wallpaper but i am able to select it.

 But when i jus randomly select the pic, the background is still pitch black.

And that 'cant see picture prob' oso happened to the rest of my pictures in my folders.

i am able to see my pics in the folders onli when i refreshed the page about 3 times.

When i searched for pictures on the internet, i right click on the picutre and slelect 'set as background wallpaper' and it works!

But i still hav no idea why my laptop has this prob. Help pls?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

49 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2009-09-20T13:30:06+00:00

    Yup, the icon is there but no 'preview'. The folder seems empty but its not. The 'missing' pictures' name or details is still there. Like the name is still right below the icon when viewed in thumbnail.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2009-09-20T13:32:46+00:00

    Right, so you can see the icon in the folder but there is no thumbnail to preview the image?

    Sorry, I am trying to narrow down possibilities =]

    Thanks, Callum Kerr. Check out my website for information on my software products. Xbox Live Gamertag: callum151000

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2009-09-20T13:34:39+00:00

    Yup! Don't need to be sorry =]. Really appreciate your help.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2009-09-20T13:37:42+00:00

    Ok, I am going get a possible solution for you.

    I'll be back in a minute. Stick around!

    Thanks, Callum Kerr. Check out my website for information on my software products. Xbox Live Gamertag: callum151000

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2009-09-20T13:47:30+00:00

    Ok, this may solve your problem:

    1.  Click Start
    2.  Then go to Computer
    3.  In the green bar at the top click on System Properties. It's beside the views button.
    4.  Then in the new window, you should see information about your computer. On the left hand side there is a "Tasks" pane. Click on Advanced System Settings. You may be prompted to enter your administrator password, do so to continue.
    5.  In the new window, click on the Advanced tab at the top.
    6.  Then in the Advanced Tab, under the performance section click on settings.
    7.  In the Performance Options window that opens, select the Visual Effects tab.
    8.  In the Visual Effects tab, make sure that you click on the "Custom" option button.
    9.  In the scroll box, scroll down until you find the box labelled "Show thumbnails instead of icons" and select it.
    10. Click OK in the Performance Options window and then click OK in the System Properties window.
    11. Go to your pictures folder and refresh it. The thumbnails should now be filled with your image.

    Let me know how you get on, if you get stuck tell me; I'll wait here.

    Thanks, Callum Kerr. Check out my website for information on my software products. Xbox Live Gamertag: callum151000

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments